Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

[RedRangerVIP]

Hey DonS or anyone else,<br /> Can you tell me the diference between the OMC Cobra 400 Drive and the OMC Cobra 800 Drive. I am going to replace the current one on my 2.3L and wanted to know if one was better than the other. Here is my model # 232AMFTC.<br /> Thanks for any help.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

Best I can tell you is that the 400 was for small engines and the 800 was for larger v-8's etc. I'm sure the gear ratios were different but can't say about the gear and intermediate housing cases..<br /><br />I don't think that 'cobra' applied to the 400/800 stringer mount drives. Could be wrong, though.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

the 400 and 800 were stringer type units and nothing interchanges with a cobra type except maybe the OMC decals.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

The 400 and 800 (late '70s through '84 {actually '86}) were known as "STRINGER" series. A term I think that came about as the drive trim was obtained by raising and lowering of the front engine motor mounts on the stringer.<br /><br />"COBRA" was the next generation beginning in '85 I believe. Edited: Actually the Cobra was introduced in '87.<br /><br />I have an 800. The 400 was only used on 4 cylinder motors like Rodbolt said. The 800 is more stout. I would never consider putting a 400 on in place of an 800 or vise-versa. Even in the 800 series there are several gear ratios.<br /><br />If the boat you are working on is the one in your sig, than neither a 400 or 800 will work as they are totally incompatable.

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

Doug Russell Marine lists a 400 Cobra outdrive , and a 800 Cobra outdrive.Boomyal , you are correct. According to tech support on their site the 400 series cobra drive was for the 2.3L,2.5L,and 3.0L 4cyl engines. The 800 series cobra outdrive is for the v6/v8 configuration.And the King Cobra outdrive is for BB motors. Thanks for the info though, it took them a while to get back to me.

 

[P.V.]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

Red, If that's correct, then Doug Russell's site is incorrect! No such thing as a 400 Cobra, nor 800 Cobra! 400 and 800 were prior to the '87 Cobras.(late stringers) 2.3L are 4 cyl Cobra Ford blocks. Visualize a V-4 outboard gearcase, that's the size of the 400 (and in-line 4cyl Cobras). 800's were V-6 OB gearcases (and V-6 and V-8 Cobras). Different sizes and ratios. No relation to each other!! , no retro fitting, etc... You'll have to stay with a 2.3 Cobra OD with it's particular ratio, which is different than a 2.5 or 3.0 litre ratio (all small gearcases though). I think it's 21:22, nah, I don't remember BUT make sure you get the correct one!!

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

Yeah , I think I am going to see about getting a complete Drive here at Iboats. Can't beat the prices!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

I never heard of that nomenclature either, but the Cobras and Stringers use a lot of the same guts. Maybe that's what the website is referring to.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

I have seen props listed as for the 400 or 800 Cobra, and it is possible that some of the lower unit stuff is similar since they both used the dog clutch of the outboard gearcase, but OMC always referred to them as distinct types, the stringers being the 400/800 (up to 1985 model year) and the Cobra as being the plain Cobra and the King Cobra, beginning in 1986. The original Cobras ran from 86-93, then it was redesigned as part of the joint venture with Volvo and got the Volvo style gears, and cone cluch shifting. Too bad they didn't sell better, at that point it was one of the best drives around. Ficht fiasco and the early Cobra cable problems seem to be what did in OMC.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

Mechanical shift Stringers and Cobra's are both good drives if you take care of them. They have their quirks, but what doesn't.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

I've seen a lot of references to Cobra 400/800 as well when I had my 88 cobra and was looking for parts, props, etc. I was told the Cobra 400 is the "V4" gearcase and the Cobra 800 was the "V6/V8" gearcase, all pre-1993 when they converted to volvo parts. <br /><br />RedRanger, you would need a 400 Cobra if that's what they're calling it. Just be sure to confirm it's not a 'stringer' drive you're getting because there's no way it will work.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Cobra 800 & 400 Drives

The 2.3L and 3.0L Cobra drives up to 1990 used the v-4 gearcase with the 4.3 and above using the V-6 gearcase. All drives '91 and later used V-6 gearcases.<br /><br />This is according to the OMC prop book.